Knitting machine



Aug. 31, 1948. w. c. ADAMS 2,448,344

KNITTING MACHINE I Filed Sept. 50, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM C. ADAMs E15; 5 BY My 66% Afforne Aug. 31,1948.

Filed Sept. 30, 1946 W. C. ADAMS KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

\A/ILITIAM C. ADAM Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNITTING MACHINE William C. Adams, Cincinnati, Ohio Application September 30, 1946, Serial 700,193

15 Claims.

4 This invention relates to improvements in knitting machines, particularly such machines as maybe used by children, convalescents and others in the home for knitting a cord or rope from yarn.

Some attempts have been made to provide knitting machines for the purpose of home occupation', but these machines required the user to do more than just operate the machine, with the result that the knitted cord or rope was not uniform and frequently faulty. The knitting cord or rope of the present machine can be connected to one another to form garments, headgear, purses and an infinite field of articles.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a knitting machine that is simple to operate and is positive in its operation and substantially fool proof, whereby a uniform knitted product results. I

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a knitting machine composed of only those elements necessary for continuous operation in the production of a knitted cord or rope.

Itis also the object of this invention to provide a knitting machine of the class herein above set forth, wherein the operator is required to do nothing but furnish the motive power, namely, rotate a handle or crank, allowing the machine to otherwise automatically function.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a self-contained knitting machine wherein the knitted rope or cord is unform in size and texture, since the human element does not enter into the production of the product except to furnish the motive power as set forth in the preceding paragraph. I

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming' a part thereof, and it is to be understood that any modification may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of thes invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 11s a side elevational view of a knitting machine embodying the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, and as seen from the right hand end thereof in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine as seen in Fig. 1. l

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the machine as seen from line 44 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, on a larger scale, of the machine taken on line 5--5 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing certain parts of Fig. 5, as seen particularly from line 6--6 on Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the parts of Fig. 5, showing same in a second position of operation.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through certain parts of Fig. 5 as seen from line 8-8 on said Fig. 5.

Fig.9 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 8, taken in a plane below that of said Fig. 8, on line 9-9 on Fig. 5.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The knitting machine of the present invention is mounted on a base or support I0 illustrated in the drawings as stamped from sheet metal, and comprises a platform II, from the longitudinal edges of which depends sides I2 and I3. The lower end of the base sides I2 and I3 are outwardly disposed to provide feet l4 and IS on which the base primarily rests. Depending from the foot I5, which is along the front side of the base, is a flange l6.

It is contemplated that the knitting machine of the present invention will be used on a table or other support so that the operator may be seated in front thereof; with the machine preferably at a corner of said table or other support. In this position the flange l6 will engage an edge of said table or other support to act as an. anchor against displacement of the machine in a rearward direction during operation.

In order to anchor the machine against movement to the side or endwise, the base platform H has depending therefrom a tongue I! to engage the right hand edge of the table or other support from that engaged by the flange IS. The tongue I? is conveniently formed from the body portion of the platform H and thereby results in a notch or opening H3 in the right hand end of the platform H. As will be later apparent this notch I8 is employed for the finished knitted cord or rope of the machine to pass there-through.

Secured to and upstanding from the base plat form II is a bearing block 19 having secured therein, see Fig. 5, a bushing 20, secured in position by screws or the like 21 passing through a radial flange 22 at the forward end of the bushing 2B. Mounted in the bearing bushing is the shaft 23 of a crank 24 which has at its other end a knob 25, through which the operator actuates the mechanism of the knitting machine. The shaft 23 is held against axial movement in one direction by an abutment 26 thereon which engages the forward face of the bearing flange 22. The axial movement of the shaft 23 in the other direction is prohibited by a set screw, or the like 21, carried by the operating member 28 to be later described, it being understood that the set screw 21 impinges on the said shaft 23.

Secured to and upstanding from the bearing block it is a face plate or support 29 having screwed to it, at its upper end, a second bearing block 30. The bearing block 30 is provided therein with a bearing bore 3% for rthe knitting needle sleeve 32. In its upper end the bearing block 30 is provided with a counter-bore"3.-l, concentric with the bearing bore 3|.

"Disposed in the bore 3 1 of the' bearing block 30, as intimated above, is the knitting needle sleeve '32 which is substantially cylindrical throughout its length, having, however, the upper portion thereof of a diameter slightly less than that portion within the bore 31, thereby providing onthe sleeve 32 a "shoulder 3' 1. The needle sleeve 32 is provided throughout its length with notches or splines '35 which may vary in number, depending upon the size of the finished knitted cord or'r-ope desired.

The-number of such notches -35 also determines the-cross section of the knitted cord or rope desired. As illustrated in the drawings the sleeve 32 is provided-with four "notches, in each of which is a knitting needle, and it should be here noted that four needles produce a satisfactory product for substantially any further use. The knitting needles utilized with this machine are of a kind now being commercially produced, and of a well known construction. One of such needles is clearly illustrated in Fig. '5 and as there shown, comprises :a shank 3B, the lower end of which is bent :on itself to form an outwardly'project'ing lug, commercially known :as the needle butt 3 1-. The upper end of the shank 36 is bent to form 1a 2hook having a sharp point .39. The shank v36 has its upper portion of a smaller dimension, as illustrated. at Ml, Fahd which fact is here pointed out, and whose function will be later described in detail. The said shank portion 40 just below the needle hook is .flattened to provide a pair a'of :ears M, between which :is :pivotly mounted "a latch 42.

iEach knitting needle disposed in .itsslot 35 in suchiamanneras'to slide there through, as will later be made-clear. In order to retain the knittingineedles in the'ir'slots' use is made of a collar 43, having a reduced-projectingiportion 44 as seen inJFigf5. Thecollar '43 is further provided with notches 34' which, as will later be made clear correspond 'to'the'number'of nee'dles'used with the machine. CollardB issplit' to provide a passageway 45 of a width equal to the width of the meedle shank 36.

:In order to'mount ithe needles in'their respective slots the collar 43 is positioned "on the sleeve 32 mear the upper 'endthereof .to embrace :needle :shan'k portions Ml, and rotated to align the passageway 45., successively, with the sleeveslots,

4 of the needle slots. The collar is then actuated or rotated about the sleeve 32 to dispose the passage way 45 at a point intermediate two adjacent needles, which will bring the notches in the collar into alignment with the needle shanks. It is preferable that the parts of the machine be in the positions illustrated in Fig. 5, whereupon the collar 43 is actuated axially of the sleeve 32 to cause the reduced portion 44 thereof to force all of the needle butts ill against the base 46 of the counter-bore 33. This axial movement of the collar is permitted by the passage of collar notches 44' over the enlarged portions of the needle :shanks 36. The collar 43 is now secured to the sleeve against rotative and axial movement by 'a dog or clamp screw 41. It will now be evident (that the collar 43 retains the needles in their respective slots or splines without interfering with their reciprocation.

Pressed into the sleeve 32, and projecting there below, is a tube 48 which has screwed to its :lower end :an index head 119. The index head 49 ran collar :li'ke member having projecting therefrom aslin'an'y index fingers 50 zasithere are needle slots in the sleeve 32 in the machine illustrated in the drawings; therezarefour such rindex fingers 56. Surrounding the {projecting .portion of the tube is :an expansion coil spring 5|., abutted on its (one end with index :collar 49, and on its otherend vw'th a plat/e52 secured to bearing block 35 and spanning the opening "or aperture therein. The expansion spring 51 .yieldably holds the tube 4'8 and sleeve :32 in theirslower most position, which is determined by a substantially :heartshaped cam .53 carried by the crank shaft 23. The cam 53, :see particularlyFigs. .6 and 7., has a low point :56, followed by a rise 55 to its high point 56, whereupon the cam 53 :drops as at $5 to the low point 54. By rotating the cam .53 .in the direction of the arrow 58 in 6, it will be noted that the tube-4'8 and parts connected therewith :are upwardly elevated by the cam rise 55 until the high ;point 56 is reached. At this time the spring 5 is compressed from :its expanded position :in Fig, 5 to the position thereof illustrated in Fig. "l. The continued rotation of the cam 53 :in-the direction ofthe arrow 58 now presents the decline 5 'lt'o the -index=collar 89, thereby permitting the spring .51 to expand and return the tube' lil to its lowermost position of Fig. 5.

The'cam 53 is secured to themember 28 which, as illustrated in Fig. 5, is somewhat U-shaped in longitudinal cross section, thereby providing a rear -fiange 5.9 through which suitable screws or the l-iketil passinto the .cam53. The front flange El of the member 23 is extended as a finger 62 which :indexes the needle sleeve so as to :bring into operation each .of the .needles in succession. Base or -flanges 59 and 31 are connected to one another by a base member 63 which carries the set screw 21 securing .the said member and cam 53 to the shaft 23 for'operation by-crank 24.

'Se'cured ate-the upper surface of the upperbearing block '30 iisna plate 'Mwhich has'a projecting .portion *65 to overlie the bearing block counterbore 33 for a space not exceeding degrees thereof, and illustrated most clearly in Fig. 8. The'iplat'e projection 65 :is to z'overliei the butts 31 of the knitting needles when they are successively brought there-under, and the said projecticn efiects the reciprocation of the needles :suc- -cessivelylthrough'thersleeve:slots 35.

Secured to the machine base t0 :behind the knitting mechanism is a a-canister or container 66 provided with removable :cover 61 which may conveniently take the form of a slip cover. Sub stantially, centrally, of the cover 61 there is pro-' videdaniaperture 68 through which extends the yarn 69 from a ball or spool suitably housed in the .canister 66. The yarn 69 in passing from the canister extends through an anti-twisting device indicated in general in the drawings bythe reference numeral 70. This anti-twisting device may take any usual form, that shown in the drawings comprising a base member-1|, having upstanding therefrom a pair of eyes." and 13, through which the yarn .passes. The yarn extends from the anti-twisting device to the yarn feeding or holding arm "l4.which as seen in Figs. 7 and 5 is secured to one side 'of the bearing block 30 by means of screws or bolts [5. The yarn feeding arm 14 extends to a point in operative. relation to the knitting needle hooks 38 and is there provided with a suitable guide or eye 16 through which the yarn passes to the needles The knitted cord .or rope 77 extends through the hollow interior of the tube 48 and needle sleeve 32 and passes below the machine and supporting table top :by passing through the notch or opening 18 in the base platform I I. Se-

cure-d to the knitted cord or yarn 71 below. the

machine is a tension supplying device indicated in general in the drawings by the reference numeral 18. Any suitable or desirable mechanism maybe employed as the tensioning mechanism, that illustrated in the drawings comprises a substantially rectangular weight having an aperture 19 therein and a V-shaped notch 86. In use the knitted cord or rope is first passed through the aperture 19 and then secured by being forced intothe apex of the V-notch 80.

The operation of the knitting machine is as follows: I

A ball or spool of yarn is placed in the canister 66, with its free end passing through the aperture 68 therein and then through the anti-twisting device"), to the eye or passageway 16 in the yarn feeding or holding arm 14. The yarn is then looped successively around the needles, starting with the needle substantially, immediately,'in 'front thereof, and passing to successive needles in a counter-clockwise direction as seen m Fig. 3. After the yarn has been loopedit is placed within the hook 38 of the first needle,

or that needle whose butt is beneath projecting portion 65, whereupon the end of the yarn is passed downwardly through the tube 48 to a point immediately below the base platform I I and the tension mechanism or device 18 secured thereto, whereupon the machine is ready for operation. V

The operator rotates the crank 24in a clockwisedirection as seen in Fig. 1, thereby rotating thecam 53, as above described, for moving the tube 48 and needle sleeve 32 upwardly, the needles being frictionally held by the collar 43 to the sleeve 32, move with said sleeve, exceptthat needle whose butt is beneath the projecting portion 65 of plate 64 which is held in its lowermost theloop previously made on its shank. .The

drawing of .the yarn through the loop was accomplishedby the time the tube-48 and parts carried thereby reached their uppermost position,illus- .trated in Fig. 7, whereupon the tube 48 descends through the-action .of the spring 5| as pointed out above. This downward movement of the tube causes that portion of the yarn within-the hook 38 to leavesaid hook: and be in effect looped around the shank 36 of its needle.- At this time, the cam 53 has made almost a complete revolution,.-as has the .member 28 and the index finger 62, whereupon the .index finger '62 engages the next index pin 50 for rotating the sleeve 48 and needle sleeve 32, toplaceqthe butt of the next needle under the projection of the plate 64. As soon as this occurs the tube 48 and needle sleeve are actuated through another cycle for effecting the knitting by thesecond needle. This cycle of operation continues so long as the crank 24 is rotated. I 1 It has been found that the machine has a slight tendency to slide while being operated, and to avoid this, use, is made'of anti-slide devices on the flanges l4 and I5whi'ch. conveniently take the form of .a rubber band 8| encircling each of the flanges and I5. 1

'It is believed now evident that there has been provided a. knitting machine which will accomplish theobjects initially set forth.

'What is claimed is; 1

1. In a device of the class described the combinationof a base, a support, carried by-said base, 3 a knitting needle sleeve having slideably mounted therein .a plurality of knitting needles, said sleeve being-mounted .in the support for rotative and axial movement relative thereto, and means for alternately rotating and axially shifting said sleeve...

2. In a device of theclass described thecombination of a base asupport carried by said base, a knitting needle sleeve having slideably mounted thereina plurality of'knitting needles, said sleeve being mounted in the support for rotative and axial movementrelative thereto, and means for alternatelyrotating and axially shifting said sleeve, including a manually operable crank. I

, 3. In a device of the class described a sleeve having mountedtherein a plurality .of knitting needles, said needles having independent reciprocating movement relative to the sleeve, a support for said sleevev and relative to which the sleeve is mounted for rotative and axial movement, positive means for axially shifting the sleevein one direction, yielding means for axially shifting the sleeve in the opposite direction, and timed means operable simultaneously with one of the positive and yielding sleeve axial shifting means for rotating the sleeve.

4 In a device of the class described a sleeve having mounted therein a plurality of knitting needles, said needles havin'g independent reciprocating movement relative thereto, a support for said sleeve and relative to which the sleeve is mounted for rotative and axial movement, positive means for axially shifting the sleeve in one direction, yielding means for axially shifting the sleeve in the opposite direction, timed means movement relative to the sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve for rotative and axial movea manac 7. ment a cam .for efiecting the axial movement of the-sleeve in one direction, yielding means for efiecting the axial. movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction, and means forrotating the sleeve prior to the axial movement thereof by one of the cam and yielding sleeve moving means.

v6. In a device ofthe class described the combination of a knitting needle sleeve adapted to support a plurality of knitting needles, said needles being adapted for independent reciprocative movement relative to the sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve forrotative and axial movement, a cam for effecting the axial movement oi the sleeve in one direction, yielding means for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve in the movement relative to the sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve for rotative and axial movement, a cam for efiecting the axial movement of the sleeve in one direction, yielding means for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction, means for rotating the sleeve prior to the axial movement thereof by one of the cam and yielding sleeve moving means, and a common means for effecting the simultaneous operation of the cam and sleeve rotating means, comprising a manually operable crank.

- .8. In adevice of the class described the combination ofia knitting needle sleeve adapted to support a plurality of knitting needles, said needlesbeing adapted for independent reciprocative movement relative to the sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve for rotative and axial movement,.a cam for effecting the-axial movement of the sleeve in one direction, yielding means for efiecting the axial movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction, means for rotating the sleeve prior to the axial movement thereof by one of the cam and yielding sleeve moving means, a common means for efiecting the simultaneous oper ation of the cam and sleeve rotating means, and

means for holding one of said needles against movement during the axial movement of the sleeve.

"9. Ina device of the class described the combination. of a base, a support carried by and upstanding from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other. secured to and pro- ,iecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper of said bearing blocks for axial movement and intermittent rotary movementrelative thereto, said-sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to reciprocate in its slot, means for eiiecting the axial movement of the sleevein the bearing block. means for effecting the i-nterrnittent rotation of the sleeve, means carried by the sleeve for holding the needles in their slots for movement therewith, and means carried by the upper bearing block for causing the reciprocation of a needlere-lative to the Sleeve during the axial movement of said sleeve.

I .10.. In a device of the class described the com-- bination of a base, a support carried by and upstanding from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and proill) jecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper of said bearing blocks'for axial movement and: intermittent rotary move ment relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each slot receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reciprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surrounding said sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway therethroughwhereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said. needles-each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engaged to said collar for positioning the same relative to the sleeve, means carried by the lower of said blocks for eifectlng the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rotatlon for imparting said motions to the needles carried by the sleeve, and means for holding the needles, successively, against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respective slots.

11. In a device of the class described the combination of a base, a support carried by and upstanding from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and projected from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper of said bearing blocks for axial movement and for intermittent rotary movement relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each slot receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reoiprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surrounding said sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway therethrough whereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said needles each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engaged by said collar for pcsitlcning the same relative to the sleeve, means carried by the lower of said blocks for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rotation for imparting said motions to the needles carried by the sleeve, means for holding the needles, successively, against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respective slots, comprising a depression'in the bearing block into which the needle butts are inserted by the collar, and an abutment overlying said recess to engage the-needle butts and thereby cause the relative reciprocation of the needles in their respective slots.

12. In a device of the class described the combination of a base, a support carried by and upstanding from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and projecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper ofsaid hear-- ing blocks for axial movement and for intermittent rotary movement relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each slot receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reeiprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surroundingsaid sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway there through whereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said needles each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engag'ed by said collar for positioning the same relative tothe sleeve, means carried by the lower of said blocks for eifecting the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rotation for imparting said motions to the needles carried by the-sleeve, means iorholding the needles successively against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respective slots, and manually operable means for actuating the sleeve rotating and axially shifting means.

13. In a device of the class described the combination of a base, a support carried by and upstanding from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and projecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper of said bearing blocks for axial movement and for intermittent rotary movement relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a, plurality of slots, each slot receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reciprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surrounding said sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway there through whereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said needles each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engaged by said collar for positioning the same relative to the sleeve, means carried by the lower bearing block for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rotation for imparting said motions to the needles carried by the sleeve and means for holding the needles successively against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respective slots, said sleeve axial movement means comprising a peripheral cam in operative engagement with said sleeve to effect its movement in one direction, and a spring for holding the sleeve in peripheral contact with the cam and effecting its movement in the opposite direction.

14. In a device of the class described the combination of a base, a support carried by and up standing from said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and projecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted in the upper of said bearing blocks for axial movement and for intermittent rotary movement relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each slot receiving a, knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reciprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surrounding said sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway therethrough whereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said needles each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engaged by said collar for positioning the same relative to the sleeve, means carried by the lower of said blocks for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rotation for imparting said motions to needles carried by the sleeve and means for holding the needles, successively, against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respective slots, said sleeve axial movement means comprising a peripheral cam in operative engagement with said sleeve to eiiect its movement in one direction, and a spring for holding the sleeve in peripheral contact with the cam and effecting its movement in the opposite direction, said intermittent rotating means comprising an index head carried by said sleeve, indexing fingers associated with and projecting from said index head, and a rotating arm for engagement with successive indexing fingers to thereby intermittently rotate the sleeve.

15. In a device of the class described the combination of a base, a support carried by and upstanding irorn said base, a pair of bearing blocks, located one above the other, secured to and projecting from said support, a knitting needle sleeve mounted the upper of said bearing blocks for axial movement and for intermittent rotary movement relative thereto, said sleeve having formed longitudinally thereof a plurality of slots, each slot receiving a knitting needle therein, and which needles are each adapted to be reciprocated, respectively, in its slot, a collar surrounding said sleeve for retaining the needles in their slots, said collar having a passageway there through whereby the needles may be disposed within their slots, said needles each having integral therewith a butt adapted to be engaged by said collar for positioning the same relative to the sleeve, means carried by the lower of said blocks for effecting the axial movement of the sleeve and its intermittent rctation for imparting said motions to the needles carried by the sleeve, means for holding the needles, successively, against movement with the sleeve in an axial direction to thereby relatively reciprocate the needles in their respecr tive slots, said sleeve axial movement means comprising a peripheral cam in operative engagement with said sleeve to effect its movement in one direction, and a spring for holding the sleeve in peripheral contact with the cam and effecting its movement in the opposite direction, said intermittent rotating means comprising an index head carried by said sleeve, indexing fingers associated with and projecting from said index head, and a rotating arm for engagement with successive indexing fingers to thereby intermittently rotate the sleeve, and a single means for simultaneously actuating said cam and rotating index arm.

WILLIAM C. ADAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 346,182 Ward July 27, 1886 1,518,378 Adams Dec. 9, 1924 2,021,301 Gast Nov. 19, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 159,333 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1933 406,181 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1934 

